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Joan Carstairs
Posted by Tony on 19th April 2008 at 20:02:19

In lieu of a too quick obituary.

My mother, Joan Carstairs, suffered a massive stroke after 9:00 am last Thursday morning and collapsed on the front porch while taking papers out to the recycling bin. I found her there, unconscious but still breathing, I'm sure only minutes later, and just before her council meal arrived with an ambulance on its way.

She was taken to the Royal Melbourne and died peacefully at 12:24 pm.

A service of celebration of her life will be held this Wednesday at 11:00 am at The Living Museum of the West, Pipemakers Park, Van Ness Avenue, Maribyrnong (entrance opposite Highpoint entrance).

I'm ok, and very relieved that she did not suffer.

The one sad note is that we have been working together on a book these past few months, advance copies of which were delivered during Friday, so she never got to see the finished article.

I had at first imagined this post might contain a semi-adequate obituary, but that thought could never avoid becoming yet another book, so all I can try to post here is the same list of chapter headings that will hopefully help the family talk to the celebrant tomorrow.

Joan Carstairs

23 March 1925 -- 17 April 2008

A Big Life

  1. Born into Essendon 1925
  2. Extended family home
  3. The paddock
  4. Yabbies
  5. Raleigh Street
  6. High School rebel
  7. Playing sport
  8. Student teacher
  9. Monivae
  10. Donex
  11. The Smiths
  12. Pascoe Vale
  13. Mary Palmer
  14. Hitching around half Australia
  15. Kew Cottages
  16. Mobile library
  17. Peace movement
  18. Rene Heisler
  19. Eslanda
  20. Ricci and Heather
  21. East Germany
  22. The Prague Spring
  23. London
  24. Lilydale
  25. Back to Essendon
  26. Christ the King
  27. Teaching First Grade
  28. St Albans 1973
  29. School librarian
  30. Annita and baby Tony
  31. The shooting
  32. Chrissie Dennis
  33. The hearings and film
  34. Family history
  35. Local history
  36. Publishing
  37. Pubs, Punts and Pastures
  38. Pioneer Womens Shelter
  39. Womens groups
  40. Radio program
  41. 50 not out
  42. Getting older
  43. The first stroke
  44. The oldies phone network
  45. Heather's book
  46. The Apology
  47. The end as she wanted it 2008
Next Newer Thread
Joan Carstairs - Tony 20:02:19 19-Apr-08
A year on - Tony 21:30:14 17-Apr-09
Local recognition - Tony 17:42:40 20-May-08
Celebrating her life - Tony 11:09:00 25-Apr-08
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